Uber appeal that drivers are not employees reaches Supreme Court

Britain’s highest court of appeal is set to make the final decision whether Uber drivers should be classed as workers.

 

At present, Uber drivers are classed as self-employed, meaning they don’t hold employment rights or protections that workers have access to.

 

The online-based taxi company argues drivers are ‘partners’ to the company and so are not entitled to workers rights – such as paid holiday, rest breaks and ensuring a minimum wage.

 

The ruling was initially made in 2016 at an employment tribunal which concluded drivers to be classed as workers.  Uber has since made further attempts to overturn the decision, but has so far been unsuccessful.

 

Uber has escalated the case to the Supreme Court who are set to hear the appeal remotely on 21 and 22 July.

 

Law firm Leigh Day, representing drivers says if successful, drivers could be entitled to an average of £12,000 each in compensation of which tens of thousands could be eligible to make a claim.

 

If the Supreme Court rules in favour of drivers, there will be a separate tribunal hearing to determine how the ruling will be applied in practice.

 

Uber is facing similar cases internationally.

 

In June, Canada’s highest court ruled in favour of a driver, which enabled a class action suit to force the company to recognise its drivers as workers.